The insurance product was developed by American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist John Newton in partnership with AFBIS and economists from the University of Minnesota and Cornell University. It fills a demand not met by previous products.

"Farmers have been suffering, and dairy farmers especially," American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said. "The number of dairies that have had to close or sell to larger operations is shocking. We have always known revenue protection
insurance could help farmers weather this storm, but no one offered it. That's why AFBIS is stepping up and rolling out this insurance now, when the need is so great. We appreciate the support from the Agriculture Department and look forward to the rollout by
October 9."

USDA officials support the move toward revenue insurance for dairies. "Expanding the federal crop insurance program to markets that need it is key to an effective farm safety net. Because of cooperation with partners like the American Farm Bureau
Federation, we are able to offer this new product in a way that it can be flexible based on the needs of dairy producers," Bill Northey, Under Secretary, Farm Production and Conservation, said.

Dairy farmers will have the option to select between class or component pricing options. The class pricing option uses an average of Class III and Class IV milk prices based on the insured's declared class price weighting factor. The component pricing option
uses butterfat, protein and other solids prices, as well as the declared butterfat and protein test to determine an insured component value of milk. Pricing options allow farmers to customize their price elections more accurately according to individual price risk.

Coverage options start at 70 percent and are available up to 95 percent, in 5 percent increments.